Files in this item

Abstract:

Ractopamine hydrochloride (Elanco, Greenfield, IN) and Zilmax (zilpaterol hydrochloride;
Intervet/Schering-Plough, Millsboro, DE) are β-adrenergic agonists approved in
the United States and several other countries to increase growth rate, improve efficiency
of feed utilization, and increase carcass meat yield. Zilmax has been shown to improve
feed efficiency by 26% and increase hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, and
meat yield. However, a few studies have shown that Zilmax significantly increased
Warner-Bratzler shear force values (decreased tenderness).
The objectives of our research were to determine the effects of supplementing feedlot
diets of steers and heifers with Zilmax for 0, 20, 30, or 40 days before harvest and
the subsequent effects of 7, 14, and 21 days of aging on tenderness of steer and heifer
Longissimus lumborum (from strip loins) and heifer Triceps brachii (from chuck clods)
and Gluteus medius (from top sirloin butts) muscles.